Was he actually even asked though? We're speaking as though he had the choice when it could, in fact, just be that he wasn't selected?[/quote]

I was going on info posted here that he decided not to go.He was defo in original squad,but can't remember if that was like 23 man squad which was trimmed.You could be right he may have just been dropped.Actually was interesting that England only had 4 fit subs yesterday due to injury,no idea if they could call up reinforcements for the final prob not.

Ozza wrote:I'm wondering if Quina will get more of a run out as Lanzini's cover this season

If we sign Arnautovic, then we'd have him, Ayew, Lanzini and Antonio for 3 positions. (Currently plus Snodgrass and Feghouli, although they could leave). Not sure Quina would be given much chance there. Bilic said a few weeks back that Quina needed a season out on loan playing regularly so I suspect that is what they'll be looking to do with him.

But does Quina need a season out on loan at some dreadful northern club having lumps kicked out of him, his flair trashed because he can't win a ball in the air or doesn't track back on muddy pitches in Hartlepool?

Or does he need to stay with us, playing in the U-21s, popping up on the first team bench from time to time and being looked after by proper international coaches instead of 58 year old former Darlington centre backs?

Toughening up might be good for full backs, CBs, keepers and defensive midfield players but not for flair players. Messi probably wouldn't be the player he is if Barca had chosen to loan him out to Scunthorpe at the age of 17

Toughening up might be good for full backs, CBs, keepers and defensive midfield players but not for flair players. Messi probably wouldn't be the player he is if Barca had chosen to loan him out to Scunthorpe at the age of 17 [/quote]

Yup spot on Quina isn't ready yet ,everyone can watch him in final on Saturday.But defo agree he would not benefit at all from a loan in this country.Possibly abroad,but I'd rather keep him close and drop feed him into team.

bubbles500 wrote:Toughening up might be good for full backs, CBs, keepers and defensive midfield players but not for flair players. Messi probably wouldn't be the player he is if Barca had chosen to loan him out to Scunthorpe at the age of 17

Although playing for Scunthorpe at age 17 didn't harm Kevin Keegan too much.

I dont know what it is that none of our youth team players have been seriously pushing for a first team place. Even Reece Oxford, perhaps our most likely prospect, is not really anywhere near to getting a place on the bench, let alone being selected

Puff Daddy wrote:I dont know what it is that none of our youth team players have been seriously pushing for a first team place. Even Reece Oxford, perhaps our most likely prospect, is not really anywhere near to getting a place on the bench, let alone being selected

Maybe they just aren't good enough.In all 4 England youth tournament this summer we had 1 representative in trott a GK who didn't get a single minute.Yes I know we have Rice and Quina.Quina looks decent enough,watched him 3 times in U19 and has some nice touches,but still looks long way off being ready.Then Cullen probably our most talked about kid ,based on a good season in league 1.And then he's not exactly a kid he is 21.Players like Davies Rashford dele winks iwobi have established themselves in 1st team squad at a younger age.Im not having a pop at our kids more our youth set up.We clearly are losing out on the real quality kids we used to attract to the likes of Chelsea and Spurs.Its clear if you don't put the investment into the youth set up you will lose out on attracting the best kids.

Honestly don't think you can read anything into the strum game at all.They were a 3rd tier team made up of 17-20 yr olds.So the likes of holland and rice were facing their own age group at a poorer standard.Lets see how they get on against Fulham before we start getting carried away.

libero wrote:But does Quina need a season out on loan at some dreadful northern club having lumps kicked out of him, his flair trashed because he can't win a ball in the air or doesn't track back on muddy pitches in Hartlepool?

Or does he need to stay with us, playing in the U-21s, popping up on the first team bench from time to time and being looked after by proper international coaches instead of 58 year old former Darlington centre backs?

Toughening up might be good for full backs, CBs, keepers and defensive midfield players but not for flair players. Messi probably wouldn't be the player he is if Barca had chosen to loan him out to Scunthorpe at the age of 17

I agree

Different approaches for different players necessary... this kid won't learn much from that. It'll prepare him better for a Premiership Pullis team but little more. He needs to be around as much quality as possible to keep improving technically.

.We have to seriously question the coaching at our club as a whole, even the U23s can't score. Not knocking the result as such, a lot of players were missing, just that we can't seem to score at any level.........

Hamburger wrote:.We have to seriously question the coaching at our club as a whole, even the U23s can't score. Not knocking the result as such, a lot of players were missing, just that we can't seem to score at any level.........

I was at the game last night and our main centre forward was a loanee called Kristofferson. He had absolutely nothing about him at all that suggests he'd be any good. Ordinarily Martinez and Fletcher would be playing at this level.

.We have a 32yo, 33yo and a 34yo at the back and a 29yo that usually gets an injury. I've got a great idea, let's ship 3 promising young players (19, 20 & 21) that are getting rave reviews out on loan. What? We've already done that?.

Hamburger wrote:.We have a 32yo, 33yo and a 34yo at the back and a 29yo that usually gets an injury. I've got a great idea, let's ship 3 promising young players (19, 20 & 21) that are getting rave reviews out on loan. What? We've already done that?

We also have a promising 23 year old RB in Byram, 2 prime 29 year old CB's, a very promising 23 year old LB in Masuaku, a 27 year old Kouyate who's a comfortable CB and the CB who's looked the best out of all the youth is an 18 year old Declan Rice who apparently will be in and around the first team this year.

We've got 3 massively experienced centre backs fighting to be first choice plus a capable back up plus a central midfielder with almost 100 games in defence for a CL regular plus an 18 year old getting rave reviews plus a right back that can slot in to a 3 if we change formation.

Maybe we use that depth to give a couple of guys the chance to go get regular football at a higher level than they've ever played before?